Appears we regularly have opportunist thieves around our village, please keep an eye out for any unusual activity, remember that if you spot anything suspicious the police can be contacted by phoning 101. And, of course, look out for email and phone scams!
Ken Munro is the news editor. Please let him know about village news and events via Contact Us on the main menu or on 07880801674.
The DIARY – Click here
Very best wishes for a happy and successful 2020, a round up below of some of a few of the community events over the festive season. We had two excellent Church services, featuring our village choir at Candlelit Carols in St Mary’s on Sunday, and again at the Carols round the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve which also saw a standout performance by our young hand bell ringers. Both services were so well attended that we nearly ran out of even standing room, I’m sure Dawn and her team would be more than pleased to see some more of us at the normal services throughout 2020!
Many thanks also to all who donated to our charity collection on Christmas Eve, we raised £231 which has been donated to Big C’s Nearer to Home appeal, information here
Our presentation of A Christmas Carol on 23rd also played to a full house and was much appreciated by all who were there, we look forward to having the Keeper’s Daughter theatre group back again when they have another touring show.
The 2019 Shotesham Fun Run attracted an excellent field of 30 runners on a fine and very nearly warm Old Year’s day. Dom Copping ran an excellent time of 35.05 to collect the trophy, with Martijn Muntingh just pipping Steve Fenn to second place and last years winner Adan Paice in fourth. Fastest lady was Kelly Bailey in just over 46 minutes, and a stunning run of 53 mins saw 8, yes eight, year old Nieve Copping win the under 16s. The two fastest ‘seniors’ were Dave Tait and Liz Blakie in 46 and 52 minutes respectively. Well done to all who took part, and indeed all families, friends and well wishers who turned out to cheers them all on.
Walking Group – A fine day for a Ditchingham walk as can be seen from the happy smiley faces. Next walk will be on Sunday 26th Jan, see you at Trinity. 
Shotesham Screen…..First movie of the year will be Balloon, based on the true story of two families and their spectacular escape from East Germany 40 years ago. Friday 17th January at Trinity Hall. All tickets £5. Contact details: Raz 01508 550122 razwoollacott@gmail.com.
Return of the Troubadours! Pleased to say that the Tin Heart Troubadours are returning to play All Saints Church in Shotesham. Click on link for details and how to book your tickets. Tin Heart Troubadours
Rain or shine, the Shotesham Conservation Group is hard at work, as testified by our damp but smiley team below, well done guys! 
Art lovers. For those who love north Norfolk and have an interest in art, village artist Lesley Munro is now exhibiting at Creake Abbey (just north of Fakenham) until end of January 2020. Visit the coast, have a coffee and take in the paintings, 3 birds with one stone! 
Take a walk on the wild side…. the Common is cow free for the winter, ’twas somewhat damp after recent heavy rain (photos below), as was Joy’s Loke on my last visit, but all back to normal now…well at least til the next downpour!
And, if you’re wandering further afield, you can now admire and have a rest on our brand new WW1 commemorative bench …
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Sited at the corner of The Street & The Grove, the bench is designed to commemorate and remember all who were involved in WW1, those who died and those who survived, but also all who stayed at home to help with the war effort. It has now been adopted by the Parish Council, but our thanks go to Raz & Laura Woollacott who made it happen and to Gary Benson who assisted with it’s installation. In the sunshine you can almost hear ‘Flowers of the Forest’!
Community information…
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital’s ‘Settle in Services’ are looking for dedicated volunteers who wish to give something back to their local community. Volunteers meet patients on their day of discharge from hospital to help settle them back in to their own environment. Click here for more information
The Rural Bulletin is a networking communication for local authorities across England, including the Norfolk area. Click here to view October’s bulletin.
South Norfolk older people’s forum, details here.
Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan – Preferred Options Consultation, click here
Norfolk campaign to S.C.R.A.P. fly tipping…details here
For assistance with power cuts, please click this link from UK Power Networks
Thinking Fuel – If you feel you may be paying too much for your oil, Community Action Norfolk (CAN) have a scheme that may assist. Click here to see how you might save and here to see how it works, or go directly to the CAN website for more details.
Our local police officer is PC 1151 Sherry Locke who now holds the position of Poringland Beat Manager, contact details for all our local officers – click here.
Local Police info – October Newsletter
News from Norfolk Police Commissioner –Review of 2019 Newsletter . Also, budget consultation ongoing and a Q&A session by with the Commissioner in Thetford on Thursday 16th Jan, click here for info
Selected older news items are retained on the “News archive” page)